You have heard the saying, “Walk the talk!” That means that your actions are consistent with what you have been saying. That is important criteria when we judge people. If someone says they care, then leaves us hanging to fend for ourselves, you would say that the person’s actions are not consistent with their words. You may conclude that the actions are true and the words are a lie. St. Paul has a word for walking the walk: Cruciform – that everything Jesus said and did was consistent with his purpose. Jesus said he would lay down his life for his friends and he did.
Can you imagine Jesus preaching all day and then not being able to shake off the people and have them leave? So, it is getting late. It is time to eat. Can we hear Peter addressing the crowd, “The show is over, go home!” But that is not Jesus, is it?
In this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, Jesus shows his true colors. He shows he cares. He shows that he means what he says. He shows he walks the talk. He shows he is Cruciform. This is a great example for us to follow. It is also a great comfort as we look toward our new life in him.
Pastor Gerry
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.